Least Concern Birds

Little Grebe

Tachybaptus ruficollis

Little Grebe dives for fish and insects in African freshwater lakes and ponds.

Scientific name	Tachybaptus ruficollis
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Aves
Order	Podicipediformes
Family	Podicipedidae
Size	Male: approximately 120-160 grams; Female: approximately 120-160 grams

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How to identify

Small-sized bird, body length about 23-29 cm; short neck, rounded head; during breeding season, neck and cheeks are reddish-brown; back and wings are dark brown; feet positioned at the rear of the body, adapted for diving

Habitat

Freshwater lakes, ponds, marshes, and slow-flowing rivers; commonly found in shallow waters rich in aquatic vegetation

Diet

Carnivorous, primarily feeding on small fish, insects, and aquatic invertebrates

When it is active

Diurnal, more active at dawn and dusk

Where it lives

Widely distributed across Europe, Asia, Africa, and parts of Oceania; in Africa found in Kenya and the Masai Mara National Reserve

How to spot it

Observe at dawn or dusk in shallow waters rich in aquatic vegetation; use a telephoto lens to capture diving and feeding behavior

Photography tips

Recommended to use a telephoto lens to capture moments on the water surface and underwater; pay attention to changing light and use water reflections to enhance photo aesthetics

Threats

Habitat destruction and water pollution; drying of wetlands and human disturbance

Similar species

Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus), larger with distinctive head and neck plumes during breeding; black-necked grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), similar size but with black neck

📖 how to spot the little grebe on safari